Take a drive around Columbia County, and it seems like everyone has some type of fruiting tree or vine growing in the landscape. One of the most neglected fruit-bearing plants in the area is the muscadine. Muscadines are grapes native to America, and they are a staple of home gardens all over the Southeast. The muscadine vine can be recognized by the single-wire trellis and the seemingly thousands of entangled woody shoots. Following a few simple steps will greatly increase the health of your vines and produce bigger, sweeter grapes.

A new public art project is in the works to honor McDuffie County blues legend Willie McTell.

The Thomson-McDuffie County Convention and Visitors Bureau has charged 12 local artists with creating and designing 7-foot-tall polyurethane replicas of the blind musician’s instrument of choice, a 12-string Stella guitar, to be included in the art project dubbed McTell’s 12-String Strut.

Fort Gordon Upcycled Arts show seeks submissions during April; anyone with a military ID ages 5 years or older is invited to participate; at least 90 percent of the artwork must be recycled goods; deadline to submit pieces is April 15; (706) 791-7881

Weight loss

TOPS meeting every Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m. in Harlem, Ga. at the Harlem Baptist Church Youth Center. Join us as we take off pounds sensibly. For more information contact Mary Player at (706) 496-5969.

The best way to prevent weeds is by having a healthy thick lawn. But invariably, no matter what, we get some weeds that pop up. A useful tool in our arsenal is pre-emergence herbicides to prevent weeds from ever appearing in the lawn.

It is a great time of the year to plant new additions to the landscape. Planting now gives trees and shrubs a better chance of getting established before summer. Whether planting a shade tree to cool the patio or replacing a damaged or diseased shrub, always begin with a healthy plant. Selecting quality plants from the garden center will improve your success. Quality plants at the garden center will have healthy roots, stems, and leaves. Close examination of the plants is necessary to assure high quality.